Historical Manuscripts Collection List » G to J Collection List »
GEORGE T. HARPER (1930-2004). BLACKS IN ALASKA HISTORY PROJECT. Papers; 1953-2004. 11.5 cu. ft. Inventory.
George T. Harper was born in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1930. He graduated from high school in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1948, and then served in the U.S. Navy. Harper later received a B. S. degree from Chase College in 1960. He then pursued a career in computer programming. Harper first visited Alaska in 1980, and later moved to Anchorage in 1981. He was a computer programmer for the Bureau of Land Management, until his retirement in 1992. He also worked as a computer consultant and taught computer classes at the University of Alaska Anchorage. In 1989, Harper created his first Black History Month exhibit, and in 1992, created an exhibit honoring Black U.S. Army Engineers who constructed the Alaska Highway during World War II. With the help of interested friends, Harper co-founded the Blacks in Alaska History Project, which was incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1995. The purpose of the project was to pursue information and historical photographs documenting the presence and contributions of African Americans in Alaska, maintain the resulting collection, and create exhibits and lectures publicizing these historical resources. George Harper died in Anchorage, Alaska, in 2004.
The collection consists of the Alaskan Black History related papers of George Harper, president and co-founder of the Blacks in Alaska History Project, Inc. The collection is organized into sixteen series: 1) project records; 2) project correspondence; 3) project newsletters; 4) project slide shows; 5) files related to exhibits, slide shows, lectures, and historical anecdotes; 6) photographs; 7) exhibit materials; 8) biographical clipping files; 9) alphabetical subject clipping files; 10) obituary clipping files; 11) articles and historical papers; 12) Captain Michael A. Healy research and reference files; 13) research and reference subject files; 14) publications; 15) videocassettes, and 16) artwork. The project records, photographs, exhibits, reference materials, and other papers document the activities of George Harper and the Blacks in Alaska History Project in seeking documentation of African Americans in Alaska, and producing public photographic exhibits, lectures, and other presentations. The George Harper Photograph Collection includes over one thousand prints and negatives. Subjects of the exhibits and slide shows include: Blacks History Month; Black U. S. Army Engineers who constructed the Alaska Highway during World War II; Black women in Alaska history; the career of U.S. Revenue Cutter Service Captain Michael A. Healy and the ice-breaker named in his honor; and Blacks who participated in the Alaska Gold Rush.
The collection was presented to the archives by George T. Harper through his will in 2004. Transfer of the papers was facilitated by Chris Sitbon. The photographs in the collection were collected by George Harper from various individuals and repositories for use in exhibits and other presentations. The UAA Archives and Special Collections Department does not own the copyright to these images and cannot make photographic prints for researchers. Additional materials were added to the collection in 2007.
HMC-0681
JAS (2/2005)